A1 Pest Control services the Sydney Metro area. The service we provide at A1 include, Termite inspections, general pest treatments, Termite treatments and programs, pre purchase inspections to buildings and various other treatments.

A1 Pest Control has several effective and safe pest control treatments, including termite treatments such as Termidor, Exterra termite baits and Sentricon. See below for my true story on my own termite infestation:

Termites!

I remember the feeling of curiosity, which quickly turned into dread, then anger when I discovered that I had termites attacking my home in Sydney. This was years before I got into the pest control industry and happened while I was cutting the lawn. The side fence, which was abutting the house looked funny. It had bubbles on the surface, looked moist and had mud tracks on it.

I stopped the lawn-mower and poked my finger into the soft mud tube running up the post.

Termites! Little white ants were running out and were obviously having a feast at my expense! Fear struck into my heart at the thought of losing my home to these fiends, then I got mad. I tore at the branches and leaves of the overgrown bush that was hiding all of this activity and exposed the fence to sunlight. I squashed as many of the little buggers as I could get to and then had a think to myself. What now?

I went inside flicked through the yellow pages and rang the local pest control company. They advertised “free quotes” for active termites, or “white-ants”. The pest-man came out, jumped under my house and went into my roof. My heart was beating faster as he looked more and more concerned. Eventually he stopped fossicking around and said those fantastic words –“All clear!”

Termites never came but to my house, but were found down the street a couple of years later in a neighbour’s house. What happened to the termites that were munching on my fence? Why didn’t they come back? I found out years later that I used IPM (Integrated Pest Management) without having any knowledge of termite control or termite protection. I simply altered the environment of foraging termites by removing a sheltered, moist environment and killed off the worker and soldier termites attacking my fence.

Termite BiologyTermites have oftentimes been identified as “white ants” due to their creamy complexion and structure similar to that of an ant. Within Australia there are well over 350 different species of termite of which 20 of them are often found within wooden homes and structures. In their natural habitats the termite assists the ecosystem by recycling different organic matters and nutrients into the ground. Termites dislike light and will avoid open areas. This leads to them being found predominantly inside the timber beams and floors which they hollow out, leaving only a thin layer to protect themselves. On occasion they also conceal themselves by navigating around in mud like tube networks.

Termite Inspections

It is also recommended for all homeowners to have inspections conducted as frequently as once a year, in some areas which are classified as “high risk” appointments and inspections should be conducted as regularly as biannually. These inspections should be conducted by a licensed pest controller only, preferably one with extensive experience in termite control and identification.

If a visual inspection by yourself or a pest controller has revealed termite damage then don’t panic! Don’t attempt to control the termites by using a household pest spray or adjusting the infested wood. It’s common practice for a nervous homeowner to grab a can of “Baygon” or insect spray and have at the termites, but this won’t assist termite control at all. And often this leads to the termites abandoning their current nest and starting a new one in a different location making it much harder to control. Live termites should be either dusted or baited by a professional. Investigating the extent of the problem and assessing your treatment options is a much better path to take than trying to DIY control the termites with a spray.

Winged Termites –AlatesDuring spring-time (and other temperate times throughout the year) you might see many winged termites either inside or outside your home. This process is an annual flight performed by the winged termites (Alates) when they engage in reproduction and seeking out a new nest. This does not indicate an attack on your home but could be a sign of a termite nest located near your home. This only happens when ideal temperature and humidity occurs as termites have soft bodies and are prone to drying out very quickly, thus they seek moist environments to promote their health.

Termite Control – Termite Protection and Nest DestructionMethods of preventative termite control for new building are covered by Australian Standard AS 3660.1 (1995). Termite control for existing building is covered by Australian Standard AS 3660.2 (2000).

Termite ProtectionTermite barriers are designed in such a way that they act as a deterrent to incoming termites or a method of forcing termites out into the open. A physical barrier is often applied to new buildings, these are constructed beneath concrete slabs, building foundations and inside wall cavities. A hardware and building supplier will often be able to offer advice with regards to the applications and availability of termite barriers. In the case of newly built or existing homes/buildings a chemical barrier is often the chosen form of treatment.

Ant caps are commonly set up underneath floor piers or timber stumps. This form of treatment forces termite colonies out of their nest and into the open making it much easier to identify them during an inspection.

TermidorTrench and treat soil using Termidor around external concrete slab edge. Trench and treat soil with Termidor around walls and piers in the sub-floor area Bi-Flex treatment of soil around the external perimeter

Drill concrete floor along expansion joints and cracks, and treat soil with Bi-Flex. Drill concrete floor around pipes / conduits and treat soil with Termidor. Drill concrete patio areas and treat soil with Termidor Termite chemical, a soil barrier is set up beneath or surrounding the foundations of a structure.There are currently three chemicals registered for use as chemical barriers: Termidor (Fipronil non-repellent), Dursban (Chlorpyrifos an organophosphate) and Bi-Flex (Bifenthrin a synthetic pyrethroid).

It is no longer legal to use organo-chlorines for environmental and health reasons. Termite bait methods such as Exterra and Sentricon are available through some pest controllers. However, they are not always as effective as the methods described above unless they are used as a monitoring system after termites are treated. If you need more information or would like to make a booking, email [email protected] or call us on 0417 251 911

Remember: We guarantee the best service for termites in Sydney! Ask us for customer referrals of the many successful and economical treatments that we have carried out over our many years of service.